CHILD DEDICATION GUIDE sampler

WHAT is this?

His Life Ministries Child Dedication Guide                                       

WHY is this?

Blessing and Preparing Families in the 1st Ways of God
 
PREPARE THE FOLLOWING
Songs to be Sung

Program to Follow     

The Child     
The Parents and the Sponsors
Certificate and Signatures (from the HLM OFFICE) 
(right after the prayer time on the side)
 

CHOICE OF READINGS
Mark 10:13-16
"People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them.  When Jesus saw this, he was indignant.  He said to them, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.'  And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them."
 
Luke 2:21-24
“On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived.  When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord  (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord"),  and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: "a pair of doves or two young pigeons.""
 
EXPLANATION
· Dedication is setting apart a place, object, or person for an exclusive purpose …
· The Family is ordained of God.  Every family must be thankful about God’s blessing.
· Children are a heritage from the Lord committed by Him to their parent for care, protection, and training for His glory.  
 
EXAMPLES IN THE BIBLE

· Jochebed of old trained her own child Moses after having given him to the Lord.
· Hannah recognized that her child was Jehovah's answer to prayer.
· Joseph and Mary also brought the infant Jesus to the temple.
 
THE PARENTS today ...
These parents, recognizing the sacredness of their charge, now bring back to the Lord the treasure which He has entrusted to them.  

In so doing they publicly acknowledge their responsibility for the nurture and admonition of this child in the ways of righteousness and godliness.
 
To Parents of Child:
DO YOU SOLEMNLY PROMISE BEFORE GOD AND THESE WITNESSES THAT YOU WILL, WITH GOD'S HELP AND  GUIDANCE, UNDERTAKE TO BRING UP _(name of child)_ THIS LITTLE ONE IN THE WAY OF THE LORD, PRAYING FOR HIM / HER, PROVIDING FOR HIM / HER AND MAKING USE OF ALL THE HELPS THAT GOD HAS GIVEN YOU?

Response:

WE DO. 

To Sponsors of Child:
DO YOU SOLEMNLY PROMISE BEFORE GOD AND THESE WITNESSES THAT YOU WILL, WITH GOD'S HELP AND GUIDANCE, UNDERTAKE TO TEACH AND COUNSEL _(name of child)_ THIS LITTLE ONE IN THE WAY OF THE LORD, AS HE / SHE NEEDS YOU?
 

Response of Sponsors:
WE DO. 
 

The Pastor takes the child in his arms or lay hands upon it's head, and  will ...
· Explain meaning of the name of the child (with a prophetic significance)
· Pray ...
 
IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS WE PRESENT THIS CHILD _______, TO GOD AND TO HIS SAVING AND SANCTIFYING GRACE.
 
· Pray ...
 
· DEDICATORY PRAYER FOR BOTH THE CHILD AND THE PARENTS,
 
· Pray ...
 
· DEDICATORY PRAYER FOR SPONSORS AND THE CHURCH BODY.

Signatures of Sponsors in the Child Dedication Certificate … END

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SAMPLER MESSAGES to SHARE during the SERMONETTE TIME

5 LOVE Languages of Children
1 Corinthians 13:5b    “...it is not self-seeking…”
 
Can you speak — or do you speak — 
your child’s love language?  
Love is important in the rearing of a child!  

Speak all 5 for children under 5 years old.  
 
Tender Touch1, 

Supporting Words2, 

Quality Time3,     

Gifts4  

and

Acts of Service5.  
 
They will learn quickly and easily and respond properly as we give them all the 5 Love                       languages very early in the life.
 
How Children KNEW that they were LOVED
· ALLYSON, age seven:  “I know my mommy loves me because she hugs me” (TOUCH)

· MARY, eight, said, “I love my mother  because she loves me.  Every day she tells me that she loves me.  I think my father too, but he never tells me  so.”  (WORDS)

· Ten-year-old FRANKIE said, “My mom loves me.  She comes to my soccer games and we go out to eat afterward.  I don’t know if my dad loves me.  He said he did, but he left us.  I don’t ever see him.  (TIME)

· LISA, six, asked us:  “Have you ever met the love man?  He is right over there,” she said, pointing to an older gentleman.  “He gives all the children gum (candies).”  For Lisa, he was the love man because he gave gifts.”  (GIFTS)

· Help Tie Ribbons, Shoes, etc … Fix things …(SERVE)

____________________________

SPOKEN BLESSINGS

from NINONGS and NINANGS

(as a candle is lit or a flower rose is held)

Ephesians 6:1 & 2
“Children, obey your parents; this is the right thing to do because God has placed them in authority over you.   Honor your father and mother.  This is the first of God's Ten Commandments that ends with a promise.”

May you _________________________ be an obedient child to your Dad and Mom.  May you receive the blessing attached to this commandment.  Honor your father & mother.

2 Timothy 3:15
“You know how, when you were a small child, you were taught the holy Scriptures; and it is these that make you wise to accept God's salvation by trusting in Christ Jesus.”

May you _________________________ be taught the Word of God.  May you know it in your heart as you grow up.  This will lead you to know the salvation available in Christ Jesus alone.  Trust and obey the Lord, for it is where your joy will be complete.


3 John 1:4
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”   


May you ____________________ walk in the truth after knowing and seeking it with all of your heart. Jesus is the truth and He is available to all who ask for help.  May you walk in God’s holy truth.


Psalm 34:11
“Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.” 

May you _______________________ fear and love the Lord with all your heart.  This is the beginning of wisdom and                confidence for life.  May God the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit bless you with all spiritual blessings.  AMEN.
 

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JR usually gives a little PARENTING TALK bringing A TOY, A STORY BOOK and a PADDLE!